Fatal Curling's Ulcer after Burns in a Child-a Case Report

Burns are the most frequently recognized severe form of trauma occurring in childhood. The association of acute gastrointestinal tract disease with burn injury is known since first half of the 19th century. Curling's ulcer is a recognized complication of burn shock which occurs in the gastrointestinal tract in burned patient. It manifest during the second week, when infection and toxic absorption from the separating sloughs is predominant. It will be diagnosed only in the event of haemorrhage, perforation, or at necropsy, and presumably these do not occur in every case. Prognosis in Curling's ulcer is always serious, especially in children, death occurring most often from haemorrhage or perforation.

A rare case of acute duodenal ulcer in a nine-month-old infant after deep burns of both lower extremities is described. It gives the impression that it is necessary to take into consideration the possibility of Curling's ulcer in every case of deep and extensive burns in children.